Fact is diesel boat have steadily been improved, modernized and quieted.
New propulsion modes are quiet above and below the waterline. They are every bit, in some regards better, than a nuc powered vessel in terms of maneuver, stealth, and life cycle economy. We should build them, but for political and force priorities/bickering do not.
A CVBG would be nearly helpless to counter even a modern two boat threat provided with some initial targetting. Crusie missiles of several types can overwhelm any US defense—and torps are not yet obsolete.
Time to get in the pig boat business.
“A CVBG would be nearly helpless to counter even a modern two boat threat provided with some initial targetting”
Guess we better keep all our CVBGs away from China, then. Which means, heck, we probably better keep the entire navy away. Which means, heck, we probably better just give up now.
I can’t imagine how we’re even going to compete in another 10 or 20 years with China at this rate.
Diesel boats, at least engine wise, are far quieter than nucs because submerged they run on their battery, An electric propulsion system produces virtually no machine noise, except the screws, and technology has provided for very quiet propellors.
ASIDE: one of the secrets sent by John Walker to the Soviets was the make up of American subs’ props and screws. The Reds got the Swedes to machine copies and produces what US submariners called the “Walker” class boats.